Care England chief executive Professor Martin Green has said reforms to social care should not come under threat because of turmoil surrounding Brexit.

A report on the front page of The Times says that Prime Minister Theresa May is to start ‘culling’ Conservative manifesto commitments after a cabinet decision yesterday (Tuesday 18 December) to accelerate planning for a no-deal Brexit.

The paper reports that David Lidlington MP, the Minister of State (Cabinet Office), will identify policies to be dumped to free up resources for a no-deal.

Social care reforms have been identified as a likely casualty, with a Department of Health and Social Care aide confirming to the newspaper that some staff had already been diverted from social care to prepare.

Referring to the article, Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock wrote on Twitter: ‘Don’t recognise this at all. Putting finishing touches on the Social Care Green Paper ready for publication in the New Year.’

Care England chief executive Martin Green told CM: ‘Regardless of what is happening on Brexit, demographic change means there are more people who need social care and they need a proper lasting settlement. They need it now.’

Deven Pamben has more than 15 years’ experience as a journalist, working on newspapers, trade magazines and online publications. A Criminology graduate, Deven worked for Hertfordshire Constabulary before becoming a journalist. He began his journalism career at a local newspaper in Hertfordshire before moving into trade magazines in permanent roles or as a freelancer. Titles he has reported and edited on include Law Society Gazette, Harpers Wine and Spirit, and Health Club Management. Deven has also written travel features for the Sunday People, and spent two years working in Beijing for the official press agency of the People’s Republic of China.